Always when an editorial office was rummaged; Always when reproaches of the phone tapping or persecution of journalists arises; Always then the discussion about the freedom of the press awakes and the following questions arise: To what extent is it upheld and protected? Are there borders? May the state interfere?
If freedom of the press is understood as a synonym for freedom of speech and mental freedom, it wins a historically far-reaching dimension. The right of the freedom of speech was considered in the Greek democracy and Roman republic as a self-evident fact. On the other hand, for the first time the Roman law of the Twelve Tables revealed qualifying regulations in 450 B.C.E. Mockery poems and abusive poems were threatened in it even with the punishment by death. A censorship was still unknown for the purposes of our today's modern state right.
In the following segment the basic concepts and their definitions are cleared under the point “Basics”. Further, a representation of both countries Germany and Turkey takes place. Consequently, the countries geographic situation and the state form are closer explained and moreover a showing of the juridical basic conditions occurs regarding to the freedom of the press of both countries. In the third segment of the term paper the different implementation of the freedom of the press in both countries is revealed. On this occasion, a universal line is drawn with the help of the research question and the thesis statement:
Research question: Why is the freedom of the press in Germany more guaranteed than in Turkey?
Thesis statement: The freedom of the press in Germany is more guaranteed than in Turkey, because the Turkish government changes laws in the Criminal Code over and over again or delete them even completely; apart from the numerous restrictions in the constitution concerning “the protection of the national security”.
This term paper is finally rounded off with a conclusion in which the compiled knowledge is brought together in an overview.
Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Basics
2.1 Image of the countries
2.1.1 Germany
2.1.2 Turkey
2.2 Freedom of the press
2.2.1 Definition freedom
2.2.2 Definition press
2.3 Juridical conditions
2.3.1 Freedom of the press in Germany
2.3.2 Freedom of the press in Turkey
3. The different implementation of the freedom of the press in both countries
3.1 Offer and use of the press
3.1.1 Germany
3.1.2 Turkey
3.2 Actual situation
3.2.1 Germany
3.2.2 Turkey
4. Conclusion
Research objective and topics
This paper examines and compares the status of press freedom in Germany and Turkey by analyzing their respective legal frameworks, media landscapes, and current socio-political conditions to understand why the guarantee of press freedom varies significantly between the two nations.
- Legal foundations of press freedom in German and Turkish constitutions
- Comparative analysis of media market structures and accessibility
- Impact of anti-terror laws and criminal codes on journalistic independence
- Evaluation of current practical challenges, such as censorship and self-censorship
Excerpt from the book
3.2.2 Turkey
Since the end of the military regime in 1983, the amount of journalists sent to prison has never been as high as today. At the moment 72 journalists are held on in prisons. They are victims of an “anti-terror law” and a jurisdiction which does not make a difference between terrorists and journalists who write about terrorism. Therefore, all together a climate of fear spreads out. Journalists practice self-censorship just not to be thrown in the prison. Criminal offences often are charged according to the section 301 (Criminal Code) and the argumentative anti-terrorist law. Neither family members nor lawyers often receive information about the accusation and access to the files. Because it holds prisoners excessively long in pretrial detention, Turkey was criticized repeatedly internationally.
Summary of chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of press freedom and defines the research question regarding the disparity between Germany and Turkey.
2. Basics: Provides a demographic and socio-economic overview of both countries and establishes definitions for "freedom" and "press".
3. The different implementation of the freedom of the press in both countries: Compares the media market, offer, and usage in both nations and evaluates the current practical reality for journalists in the context of their legal systems.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings, highlighting the stark contrast in press freedom and the need for legal reform, especially in Turkey.
Keywords
Press freedom, Germany, Turkey, censorship, journalism, human rights, constitution, criminal code, anti-terror law, media landscape, democracy, freedom of speech, political communication, prison, imprisonment
Frequently asked questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on a comparative analysis of the state of press freedom in Germany and Turkey.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The central themes include constitutional law, media market structures, the impact of government legislation on journalism, and the practical challenges of reporting in both countries.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to answer why the freedom of the press is more guaranteed in Germany than in Turkey.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The author utilizes a descriptive and comparative legal approach, analyzing constitutional texts, criminal codes, and current media reports from the year 2013.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the basic definitions and legal frameworks in chapter two, and the practical implementation of these rights, including media usage and the actual situation for journalists, in chapter three.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include press freedom, constitutional law, media landscape, censorship, and comparative political analysis.
How does Turkish law specifically impact journalism according to the text?
The text highlights that the Turkish criminal code, particularly section 301 and various anti-terror laws, are frequently used to prosecute journalists and create a climate of fear and self-censorship.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the Turkish media situation?
The author concludes that the Turkish situation is problematic due to frequent changes in criminal laws and the detention of journalists, necessitating significant reform to align with democratic standards of press freedom.
- Quote paper
- Michael Müller (Author), 2013, The freedom of the press in Germany and in Turkey. An analysis of the circumstances in 2013 and a comparison, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/350965
